William Gerald Espie

FITCHBURG SENTINEL,: FRIDAY, MAY 26, 1944. Mr. and Mrs. William G. Espie, now of 99 Overland street, lost four children in the fire, Robert Espie, 12, was blown from the building by the violence of the explosion and died several days later at Burbank hospital. His brothers and sister who were unable to escape from their second floor tenement were John and Joan Espie, 8 and Paul Espie 5.

The father of the three children arrived at the scene early. He had been working at the Crocker Burbank mill within sight of his home and went directly to the plant's emergency hospital There he did all in his power to assist his children and later cared for Mrs. Espie who had been visiting friends when the fire broke out in their home. According to the medical examiner, who said that all five victims died from asphyxiation, and that they had lapsed into unconsciousness before the fire reached their bodies. Mr. and Mrs. Espie and their daughter Ann have gone to live with Mr. and Mrs..Thomas Dunne, parents of Mrs. Espie, who live at 99 Overland street.

Robert Espie, 12, was treated at the emergency hospital of Crocker Burbank He had arrived home a few moments before the explosion occurred and had been blown out of the ground floor shed onto a lawn. He suffered serious burns to three-quarters of his body. John and Joan Espie, eight-year-old twins, were found huddled together on the floor near the window of their bedroom. The body of Paul Espie, 5, was at the foot of a bed in the front room..

Robert Espie arrived home from a fishing excursion a few moments before the fire occurred, according to his grandfather, Thomas Dunne, 99, who noted "The youngster passed me while I was standing at the side of the Crocker emergency hospital. He was carrying fishing poles and a lighted lantern. He said he had had poor luck and continued on home. He tried to get into the house bj r the front door. It was locked so he went to the rear entrance. It was a matter of a few moments before there was a loud blast and flames shot all over the place,"

Robert Espe, 12, Joan and John Espie, 8-year-old twins and Paul Espie, 5, children of William G. and Mary A. (Dunne) Espie, were all born in this city, Joan was a pupil of St. John's parochial school and John was a pupil at"tiie . The children are survived by their parents; a sister, Anna, aged 10, and by two grandfathers, Thomas Dunne of this city and Frederick J. Espie, of Boston.